Testing Services

Test Scoring Service

Below is information regarding our services as well as some helpful guidelines to follow when administering scannable form exams. If you have questions or comments, please let Celeste Smith or one of the Testing Assistants help you.

What we do (in a nutshell):

We provide scannable forms, scan exams, and provide statistical reports for more than 39 departments on campus.

Instructors bring us the filled out forms and completed keys and we process them within 24 hours (usually closer to 2).

When a test is scanned, the student's raw score is printed on the answer sheet. We take the data that is given by the scanner and process a variety of reports as requested by instructors. --One our most popular reports is the "Alpha List"- This report provides a histogram of the distribution of scores as well as general statistics and an alphabetical list of the students, their ID#s, raw scores and percentile.

What is asked of the Instructor:

• General Information:

  The Instructor's name, Department name, Course Number, phone number and name of whom we can contact once exams are scored and reports are printed.

• Specific information:

  Number of classes, Number of answer keys, Number of test questions, point values of the questions, total number of points possible, number of answers per question, and type of computer analysis desired.

• Answer Key Variations:

  Given the importance of the key to the scoring process, it is fundamental that everyone understand the possible variations for the keys. Please note that students can only fill out one correct answer per question. If an instructor has a question(s) that has one or more possible answers, then an alternate key is necessary. Instructors need to inform us of this type of variation and specifically point out these questions and the possible answers. If there is a test that has varying point values (i.e. questions 1-20 are worth 1 point each and questions 21-30 are worth 3 points each), then a weighted key is necessary. With a weighted key, we need the point values for each question as well as the total points possible. Questions may only be worth whole points, up to 5 points each.

• Computer Analysis and Printouts:

  There are several options available to you in terms of analysis. All of these options are available in a printout. Some of these options can be in electronic form on a diskette (provided by the customer) or may be sent to your e-mail address.

  1. Item Analysis:

     Analysis of item content helps to determine the difficulty of the questions and the ability of the individual items to discriminate in relation to the overall performance of the students. This analysis also will give the percent of students' responses to each answer for every question. This report is not available in electronic format.

  2. All Responses:

     Printout of all student answers as compared to the correct or "keyed" answers--this printout shows the key is presented on the top line and the responses of the students follow one after the other

  3. Individual Feedback:

     Printout consisting of a page per student in which a student's overall score is given and a student's individual answers are compared to the "keyed" answers--this printout is longer than the printout above because you are given a page per student

  4. Alpha & ID Listing:

     Printout consisting of the student's name, ID and score alphabetically and/or numerically by ID with score can be used for grade distribution

• Electronic Data:

  Your test information can be provided in ASCII or Comma-delimited format. The delimited format is popular when importing the scores into a spreadsheet. Information can be placed on a diskette or sent to your e-mail account. Please provide us with a properly labeled diskette.

HELPFUL Guidelines:

Here are some guidelines that can help to insure that your exams are scored in an accurate and timely fashion.

• When you bring in your exams, it is important to have your key(s) completed, to have your exams already sorted into correct piles, and to have turned all your exams in the same direction.
• Please do not write or allow your students to write on any portion of the answer sheet other than where appropriate. No marks in the margins. Stray marks may result in the sheets being kicked out by the scanner, and may ultimately result in inaccurate scores.
• Write instructor name and/or course in the "name" boxes of the key - it is not necessary to bubble this information. Information provided to us will be listed as headers for your printouts.
• #2 pencil only, no pens or markers.
• Instruct students to erase completely, marks not erased appear as multiple responses.
• Do not:
  • write across bubble areas.
  • allow students to use any part of the answer sheet as scratch paper.
  • allow students to mark more than one response per question, multiple marks are rejected.
  • staple or fold answer sheets.

Return of Exams:

If proper procedures are followed and standard services are requested, then the tests will be completed within a 24 hour period. Special services or services performed during finals week may take longer.

Charges for Test Scoring:

The scanning charge is $0.07 per answer sheet. Charges for reports vary depending on size of class and length of exam, but average between .50 and $2.00. Services are billed monthly to your department. Testing Services can also provide scanning services and consultation for surveys and research projects. For information on additional services, please ask for Celeste Smith at 864-2768.

Testing Service Hours:

Testing Service is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. We have a drop box outside of our main door for after hours drop off.